Review of The Jackal (1997)

Directed by Michael Caton-Jones, The Jackal (1997) is a high-stakes action-thriller that pits a resourceful FBI agent against a mysterious and deadly assassin. Inspired loosely by the novel The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth (which had already been adapted into a 1973 film), The Jackal takes a more modern, action-packed approach to the story while maintaining a core focus on suspense, intrigue, and the cat-and-mouse chase between its protagonists.

The film, with its taut direction, thrilling set pieces, and impressive performances, is an entertaining example of the action-thriller genre of the late ’90s. While the movie may not have garnered the same acclaim as some other thrillers of the time, it remains a suspenseful and engaging experience, driven by a strong villain and the race against time to prevent a major assassination.

Plot: A Deadly Assassin and a Desperate Manhunt

The story of The Jackal revolves around a brilliant, cold-blooded assassin known only as “The Jackal” (Bruce Willis), who is hired to kill a high-profile target, a former U.S. official. His assignment becomes complicated when the FBI, along with a team of international law enforcement agents, learns of his existence and attempts to track him down.

The Jackal is notorious for his meticulous planning, lack of emotions, and resourcefulness. He’s a faceless figure who has managed to evade capture for years, employing various disguises, tactics, and weaponry to eliminate targets with ruthless efficiency. In contrast to the typical assassin archetype, the Jackal in this film is portrayed as a near-mythical figure, a shadowy presence who is nearly impossible to track.

In an effort to capture him, the FBI enlists the help of an incarcerated Russian mobster, Isaak (Richard Gere), who is known to have had dealings with The Jackal in the past. Isaak, a former associate of the assassin, is reluctantly freed and brought into the fold due to his knowledge of the Jackal’s methods. He is offered a deal to save his own life in exchange for his cooperation, but his motivations are complicated by personal stakes.

What ensues is a cat-and-mouse chase, where Isaak, using his insider knowledge, works alongside the FBI to try and prevent The Jackal from carrying out his assignment. However, as the plot unfolds, the tension rises as the FBI races against time, and both Isaak and the Jackal demonstrate how far they are willing to go to achieve their goals—survival, revenge, and the completion of the mission.

Themes: Justice, Revenge, and the Cost of Survival

At its core, The Jackal is about survival, both in the literal and figurative sense. Both The Jackal and Isaak are motivated by personal reasons, but their actions and the world they inhabit are governed by a harsh code of survival. The assassin’s cold, calculating nature represents the ultimate expression of efficiency and a lack of emotion, while Isaak’s redemption arc focuses on the struggle to find meaning or redemption after a life of violence and crime.

The theme of justice is explored throughout the film, but with a heavy focus on moral ambiguity. Isaak, though a criminal, is more sympathetic than the remorseless Jackal, and his journey highlights the complex nature of right and wrong in a world where justice is often subjective. Isaak’s desperation to save the lives of those close to him is contrasted with The Jackal’s detachment, suggesting that survival and revenge often require one to sacrifice morality or humanity.

Furthermore, the theme of vengeance runs through the film, as The Jackal has a personal vendetta that is ultimately tied to Isaak’s past. It’s a revenge-driven world, where personal grievances often trump larger political concerns, and characters are willing to cross any line to achieve their ends.

Characters: A Complex Villain and an Unlikely Hero

The Jackal shines in large part due to its complex characters, who serve as the central drivers of the narrative. Both Bruce Willis and Richard Gere deliver strong performances, capturing the tension and conflict inherent in their roles.

• The Jackal (Bruce Willis): Bruce Willis plays the titular assassin, a ruthless killer who is as enigmatic as he is deadly. The Jackal is a man who operates under his own rules, devoid of emotion, and willing to go to extreme lengths to complete his mission. Willis brings a cold intensity to the role, using minimal dialogue and a chilling presence to craft a character that is as formidable as he is terrifying. The Jackal’s lack of personal connection to those around him and his ultimate indifference to the world makes him an almost inhuman figure, embodying the idea of a killer who has no real stake in the consequences of his actions.
• Isaak (Richard Gere): Isaak is a much more complicated character. A former mobster with a shadowy past, Isaak is a man who has made many mistakes and now faces the consequences of those actions. He is offered a chance for redemption, but his cooperation with the FBI comes with a price. Richard Gere imbues the character with a sense of remorse and vulnerability, making Isaak the moral center of the film despite his criminal background. His relationship with the FBI, particularly his reluctant partnership with FBI agent Declan (played by Sidney Poitier), provides much-needed emotional depth to the story.
• FBI Agent Declan (Sidney Poitier): Poitier plays Declan, the agent tasked with hunting down the Jackal. His role, while somewhat secondary, is integral to the structure of the film. Declan’s no-nonsense demeanor and skepticism about Isaak’s motivations create a constant push-pull dynamic between the characters. Poitier adds gravitas to the film, providing a steady, professional contrast to the chaos unfolding around him.
• Support Characters: The film also features a number of supporting characters who help flesh out the world of the assassin and law enforcement. These include The Jackal’s various collaborators and enemies, as well as FBI agents who are involved in tracking down the assassin. While they don’t have the same level of depth as the central characters, they serve to heighten the suspense and increase the stakes of the film.

Direction and Pacing: Tension and Suspense

Michael Caton-Jones’s direction keeps the pace brisk, especially during the film’s second half when the cat-and-mouse dynamic intensifies. There are plenty of action sequences to satisfy fans of the genre, with The Jackal’s meticulously planned attacks creating a sense of anticipation and danger. The film effectively builds tension by showing the precision with which The Jackal executes his plans and the pressure on Isaak to prevent the assassin from completing his mission.

The pacing is tightly controlled, as the plot shifts between action sequences and moments of dialogue-driven suspense. The film’s slow-burning build-up makes the eventual action scenes even more impactful, as viewers are kept on edge waiting for the next move. The clever use of misdirection, where the audience is led to believe one thing only to have it turned upside down, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative.

The film’s score, composed by Carter Burwell, also helps to maintain a sense of unease, amplifying the tension during critical moments. The music subtly hints at the impending danger, creating a mood that is both thrilling and ominous.

Action Sequences: Classic ’90s Thriller Style

As expected from a film about a deadly assassin, The Jackal delivers several intense action sequences. One of the most memorable is an elaborate sequence involving a sniper rifle, in which The Jackal meticulously plans an assassination attempt that showcases his cold precision and skill. The action scenes are fast-paced and visceral, with moments of tension giving way to explosive violence.

The final confrontation between The Jackal and Isaak is a tense, thrilling climax that brings the film to a satisfying and dramatic conclusion. The use of close-quarter combat, high-tech weaponry, and the ever-present danger of betrayal keeps the audience on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Conclusion: A Thrilling, Suspenseful Action Film

The Jackal (1997) is a taut, suspenseful action-thriller that successfully builds a sense of dread and excitement. While the film may not be as iconic as other thrillers of the era, it is an entertaining and tightly crafted movie that benefits from strong performances, particularly from Bruce Willis and Richard Gere. The characters are complex, the tension is palpable, and the action sequences are solid.

The themes of vengeance, redemption, and survival give the film emotional depth, and the cat-and-mouse chase between Isaak and The Jackal provides the perfect backdrop for exploring these themes. It’s a story about the lengths people will go to for revenge and the price of survival, offering a thrilling ride from start to finish.

While not without its flaws—particularly in its predictability at times—The Jackal remains a solid entry in the action-thriller genre, providing fans of the genre with a gripping and satisfying experience. If you’re looking for a film filled with tension, high stakes, and a battle of wits between two memorable characters, The Jackal delivers.